DETROIT — Justin Verlander’s solid showing in his first major league start of the season was good news to a Detroit Tigers rotation badly in need of it.
David Price is a large brick in the Detroit rotation wall, and Alfredo Simon is giving the Tigers consistently solid outings, but the mortar was crumbling with the other starters, one of whom was replaced when right-hander Shane Greene was optioned to the minors Friday.
Left-hander Kyle Ryan will replace Greene on an interim basis, but no one can call how that one will turn out. How quickly — and if — Greene can get his mechanical issues straightened out with Triple-A Toledo will be a factor.
Right-hander Anibal Sanchez is falling far short of expectations, and his 4-7 record closely matches his ratio of good starts to bad so far.
Having Verlander back to string solid starts together would be a big plus for a rotation that had a 24-24 record and 4.00 record after an 8-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.
Verlander went five innings Saturday in his debut, allowing two runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
“He brings a lot of energy,” manager Brad Ausmus said. “He lifts up the team. He lifts up the crowd.”
Verlander reached back for a little extra in the fifth inning and got it — but the cost was his command.
“I’ve got some work to do before my next start,” Verlander said, “not throwing so much as building up my legs. I exerted more energy than I have yet (in that fifth inning). I could tell I was putting more into it than I had.”
A key for Verlander was exhibiting more patience than was expected from a workhorse getting back on track. He was able to spot his fastball with some precision, mix in a large percentage of changeups and curves plus a few sliders.
He showed the kind of concentration and self-control he exhibits in big games.
“Maybe in the whole process (of rehabilitation from an inflamed right triceps) I learned a little bit of patience,” he said.